Latin-Based Language

OverviewTexts

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The Latin-Based Language (unofficial name), popularly known as the Abyss Language (unofficial name), can be found all over Teyvat, usually in inscriptions such as those relating to gods, alchemy, astrology, and in association with Ley Lines; it also appears when magical seals appear, such as on some chests. Notably, it is used by the Khaenriahn Abyss Order, in Natlan's Ancient Names, and in ancient murals in Dragonspine and Tsurumi Island, indicating it may have been the alphabet of the ancient unified civilization which once spanned Teyvat. The alphabet is based on Latin letters like the common written language of Teyvat, but the words and grammar are based on Classical Latin, and rarely Ancient Greek, instead of English. Although there is no capitalization, there is punctuation.^[1]

Example Texts

Main article: Latin-Based Language/Texts

Special Forms

The glyphs of this alphabet are divided into top and bottom halves by a thin but deliberate gap. Typically, the full glyph is used, however in some cases, only half of the glyph is shown or only half of the glyph is relevant.

The event menu for Unreconciled Stars uses only the bottom half of the glyphs.
Text under "Unknown Star": somnia ("dreams")
Text under "Star of Deceitful Dreams": ierunt ("they went")
Text under "Star of Destiny": caelum ("sky")
In the quest A Herald Without Adherents, two lines of text use only the top half of the glyphs, with one being inverted.
Fatae parcae ("the Fates Parcae")
Fati textrix (inverted; "weaver of fate")
In the secret messages found in The Chasm: Underground Mines, only the bottom half of the glyphs should be read:^{[Note 1]}
Vivos voco ("I call the living")
Mortuos plango ("I mourn for the dead")

Notes

↑ The top half of the glyph is changed systematically. Specifically, the alphabet is divided into five-letter sets (with six letters for the last set) and first letter of the set uses an inverted top half of the last letter of the set, the second letter of the set uses an inverted top half of the second-last letter of the set, and so on. This results in, for example, the letters A, B, C, D, and E having an inverted top half of the letters E, D, C, B, and A for their top halves respectively, while the bottom halves remain the same.

References

↑ NGA: Deciphering of the Khaenri'ah Alphabet (Reddit: English translation)

Navigation

[2] The top half of the glyph is changed systematically. Specifically, the alphabet is divided into five-letter sets (with six letters for the last set) and first letter of the set uses an inverted top half of the last letter of the set, the second letter of the set uses an inverted top half of the second-last letter of the set, and so on. This results in, for example, the letters A, B, C, D, and E having an inverted top half of the letters E, D, C, B, and A for their top halves respectively, while the bottom halves remain the same.

[1] NGA: Deciphering of the Khaenri'ah Alphabet (Reddit: English translation)

[1]

[Note 1]